Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dushanbe Doubles Down on Water Security
100K residents have improved access to a safe water supply
Inhabitants 863,400 GDP per capita $877 Geographic area 203 km²
THE CHALLENGE Rapid population growth and expansion have increasingly strained the city’s aging and poorly maintained water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
Tajikistan’s capital is seeking to incorporate climate-resilient measures in its water supply and sanitation infrastructure to increase the water security of its 863,000 residents. Tajikistan, located among the mountains of Central Asia, is one of the region’s most climate-vulnerable countries facing rainfall variation, extreme droughts, and disappearing glaciers. In Dushanbe, around 60% of water is currently lost due to leaks or theft, operation is intermittent at only 4–8 hours a day, and contamination is frequent. The initiative aims to provide safe drinking water and improved sanitation in urban areas, a vital task in a city facing increasing water shortages under climate change. To do so, district metering areas will be introduced to reduce water loss through active leak detection and smart meters. Existing wells, pumps, and 17 km of transmission main will also be rehabilitated, and protection will be put in place to safeguard groundwater well fields. Flood risk management and drainage will also be enhanced, with an increased storage capacity of 4,500 cubic meters. Further, improvements to a sewage collector in the southern part of the city will reduce contamination risks, especially during flood periods. The $45 million project is made possible by a grant provided by ADB.
Co-benefits Health Improvements to sanitation services will reduce the incidence of waterborne illnesses like ascariasis and diarrhea in the project areas.
Mounting urban pressure. Dushanbe has seen increased migration, contributing to environmental degradation, poor livability, and limited economic prospects (photo by State Executive Authority of Dushanbe City).
Economic Targeted consumers will receive cost savings from non-incremental water consumption with the switch to piped water from alternative sources.
SUSTAINABLE AND LOW-CARBON COMMUNITIES 93
